Adjustable loop element

ABSTRACT

An adjustable loop element includes a length of a material, a first slide and a second slide. A first end of the length of the material is secured at the first slide. A second end of the length of the material is secured at the second slide. The length of the material slidably passes through the first slide and the second slide between the first end and the second end of the length of the material to form at least a first closed loop.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Disclosure

Example embodiments are related to a loop element and, in particular, to an adjustable loop element which is adjustable to different sizes.

2. Description of Related Art

Necklaces, rings and bracelets have long enjoyed wide popularity. Jewelry manufacturers continuously look for ways to enhance the value of the jewelry they sell. For example, one manner of enhancing jewelry is to provide multiple functions, e.g., a reversible pendant or charm, or looks for an item of jewelry which is manufactured.

Necklaces, rings and bracelets are generally sold in a single length or size, and a user does not have the ability to easily adjust the length of a chain or band thereof without relatively difficult manual dexterity involving somewhat complicated mechanisms to add or delete length to the chain or band forming the necklace, ring or bracelet. As a consequence, necklaces, rings and bracelets are generally sold in preset single sizes, and the ability to provide multiple functions for such items is often difficult to achieve.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments provide an adjustable loop element comprising a length of a material and slide mechanisms enabling easy adjustment by a user of a size of a loop formed by the length of the material.

Example embodiments provide an adjustable loop element comprising a length of a material and slide mechanisms which are configured to be securely locked at a desired size of a loop formed by the length of the material.

Example embodiments provide a jewelry item comprising a length of a material and slide mechanisms allowing easy adjustment by a user of a size of a loop formed by the length of the material.

Example embodiments provide a jewelry item comprising slide mechanisms configured to be an attractive item of jewelry while allowing easy and safe manipulation thereof to achieve different loop sizes for different functions.

Example embodiments provide at least two adjustable loop elements, each comprising a length of a material and slide mechanisms which are configured to be securely locked at desired sizes of a loop formed by the length of the material, the two adjustable loop elements configured to serve as a restraining device, for example, handcuffs, for restraining the limbs of a person by securely connecting the slide mechanisms of the two jewelry items together.

According to an example embodiment, an adjustable loop element comprises a length of a material, a first slide and a second slide. A first end of the length of the material is secured at the first slide. A second end of the length of the material is secured at the second slide. The length of the material slidably passes through the first slide and the second slide between the first end and the second end of the length of the material to form at least a first closed loop.

According to an example embodiment, the adjustable loop element comprises a jewelry item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from a consideration of the following Detailed Description of Example Embodiments considered in conjunction with the drawing Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable loop element according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustable loop element according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an adjustable loop element according to another example embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pair of adjustable loop elements configured as a restraining device according to still another example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable loop element according to an example embodiment. An adjustable loop element 1 according to an example embodiment comprises a length of a material 2, a first slide 4 and a second slide 6. A first loop 10 and a second loop 12 are formed by the length of the material 2, the first slide 4 and the second slid 6 as shown in FIG. 1.

The length of the material 2 may be a chain, a band, a cord, a rope, a wire a cable or any combination thereof. The length of the material 2 may comprise any metal or non-metallic material, for example, silver, gold, steel, fabric, plastic or leather.

The slides 4 and 6 may comprise silver, gold, steel, plastic or any other metal or non-metallic material. The first and second slides 4 and 6 may comprise a star, heart or any other ornamental object to disguise or hide the tubes therein.

The first slide 4 comprises first and second tubes 4 a and 4 b which are connected together. The first and second tubes 4 a and 4 b may have generally cylindrical shapes with openings therethrough in axial directions thereof. The first tube 4 a is connected to a side of the second tube 4 b such that the first and second tubes 4 a and 4 b are generally parallel to each other. For example, the axial direction of the first tube 4 a is generally parallel to the axial direction of the second tube 4 b. Alternatively, each of the first tube 4 a and the second tube 4 b may be curved. The first and second tubes 4 a and 4 b may be connected together by a weld, soldering or glue or, alternatively, the tubes may be integrally formed together, e.g., from a single mold. The first tube 4 a of the first slide 4 has sufficient clearance therethrough to allow the length of the material 2 to pass and slide therethrough. A first end of the length of the material 2 is secured to and/or within the second tube 4 b of the first slide 4. For example, the first end of the length of the material 2 may enter an opening of the second tube 4 b and be secured in the second tube 4 b, but does not extend beyond the other opening of the second tube 4 b. The first end of the length of the material 2 may be secured in the second tube 4 b by glue, a weld, soldering, a nut, a tie, a nob, a screw, a clamp or other securing means.

The second slide 6 comprises third and fourth tubes 6 a and 6 b which are connected together. The third and fourth tubes 6 a and 6 b may have generally cylindrical shapes with openings therethrough in axial directions thereof. The third tube 6 a is connected to a side of the fourth tube 6 b such that the third and fourth tubes 6 a and 6 b are parallel to each other. For example, the axial direction of the third tube 6 a is generally parallel to the axial direction of the fourth tube 6 b. Alternatively, each of the third tube 6 a and the fourth tube 6 b may be curved. The third and fourth tubes 6 a and 6 b may be connected together by a weld, soldering or glue or, alternatively, the tubes may be integrally formed together, e.g., from a single mold. The fourth tube 6 b of the second slide 6 has sufficient clearance therethrough to allow the length of the material 2 to pass and slide therethrough. The second end of the length of the material 2 is secured to and/or within the third tube 6 a of the second slide 6. For example, the second end of the length of the material 2 may enter an opening of the third tube 6 a and be secured in the third tube 6 a, but does not extend beyond the other opening of the third tube 6 a. The second end of the length of the material 2 may be secured in the third tube 6 a by glue, a weld, soldering, a nut, a tie, a nob, a screw, a clamp or other securing means.

The length of the material 2 is thus secured at respective ends thereof to a tube (4 b, 6 a) of the first and second slides 4 and 6 and slidably passes through the other tube (4 a, 6 b) of the first and second slides 4 and 6.

The first tube 4 a and the fourth tube 6 b may each comprise a holding mechanism, for example, a silicon globule or spring, which bears on the length of the material 2 as it slides through the respective tube. The holding mechanism holds the length of the material 2 in place within the respective tubes anytime there is no pulling force on the length of the material 2 so that the first loop 10 formed by the length of the material 2 can assume and maintain any desired size. For example, the openings through the first tube 4 a and the fourth tube 6 b are sized sufficiently to allow the length of the material to slide through yet frictionally bear upon silicon or some other frictional material which easily holds the length of the material 2 in place in the absence of a pulling force.

The first tube 4 a and the fourth tube 6 b may each comprise a locking mechanism, for example, a clamp, which bears on the length of the material 2 such that the length of the material 2 is prevented from sliding through the respective tube if the locking mechanism is engaged. The locking mechanism holds the length of the material 2 in place within the respective tubes even if there is a force on the length of the material 2 so that the first loop 10 formed by the length of the material 2 is maintained at a desired length. The locking mechanism may be engaged/disengaged by a key, a combination lock or other mechanism. Alternatively, the locking mechanism, for example a clamp or stopper, may be attached to the length of material adjacent to the first tube 4 a and/or the fourth tube 6 b to prevent the length of the material 2 from sliding through the respective tube if the locking mechanism is engaged.

The first loop 10 is made smaller by pulling the first and second slides 4 and 6 away from each other in first directions, while the second loop 12 is thereby made larger. The first and second slides 4 and 6 may be pulled apart in the first directions until they eventually touch, resulting in the first loop 10 being as small as it can be and the second loop 12 being as large as it can be. FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment in which the first loop 10 has been made smaller (as compared to FIG. 1) by pulling the first and second slides 4 and 6 away from each other in the first directions.

The first loop 10 is made larger by pulling the first and second slides 4 and 6 toward each other in second directions until the slides 4 and 6 meet, the second loop 12 being completely eliminated if the first and seconds slides 4 and 6 touch each other. The user may adjust the size of the first loop 10 while wearing the adjustable loop element 1 as jewelry item, e.g., a necklace, ring or bracelet, in an easy and quick fashion so as to provide versatility to the jewelry item 1. The adjustable loop element 1 may be implemented in industrial applications, for example, for the holding together of materials, and the user may adjust the size of the first loop 10 to secure different amounts of materials.

The length of the material 2 may comprise a material that is sufficiently flexible and/or as a desired thickness to allow the first and second slides 4 and 6 to be easily moved together and apart while maintaining a generally circular structure of the first loop 10. For example, the length of the material 2 may comprise a plastic band. The length of the material 2 may comprise plurality of separate lengths of the material, for example, a plurality of separate plastic bands, with ends of each of the bands secured to the first slide 4 and the other ends of each of the bands secured to the second slide 6 as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a two adjustable loop elements configured as a restraining device according to still another example embodiment. Two adjustable loop elements according to example embodiments, each comprising a length of a material 2 and first and second slides 4 and 6, which are configured to be securely locked at a desired size, may serve as a restraining device, for example, handcuffs, for restraining the limbs of a person. The first slide 4 of a first adjustable loop element la of the two adjustable loop elements may be securely connected to the first slide 4 of a second adjustable loop element lb of the two adjustable loop elements. For example, the first slides 4 and 4 of each of the two adjustable loop elements may be connected together by a weld or, alternatively, the first slides 4 may be integrally formed together, e.g., from a single mold. Each of the first and second slides 4 and 6 of each of the pair of adjustable loop elements may be securely locked at desired positions by a key, a combination lock or other mechanism as described above such that the limbs of a person are secured together by the two adjustable loop elements. The length of the material 2, the first slide 4, the second slide 6 and the locking mechanism of each of the two adjustable loop elements may be selected to comprise more durable materials suitable for restraining a person and enduring the forces associated therewith.

Although example embodiments have been shown and described in this specification and figures, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made to the illustrated and/or described example embodiments without departing from their principles and spirit. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable loop element, comprising: a length of a material; a first slide, wherein a first end of the length of the material is secured at the first slide; and a second slide, wherein a second end of the length of the material is secured at the second slide, and wherein the length of the material slidably passes through the first slide and the second slide between the first end and the second end of the length of the material to form at least a first closed loop.
 2. The adjustable loop element of claim 1, wherein the length of the material comprises a band, a cord, a rope, a wire, a chain or a cable.
 3. The adjustable loop element of claim 2, wherein the length of the material comprises a plurality of separate lengths of the material.
 4. The adjustable loop element of claim 1, wherein the first slide comprises a first tube and a second tube, wherein the first tube and the second tube have generally cylindrical shapes with openings therethrough in axial directions thereof.
 5. The adjustable loop element of claim 4, wherein the first tube is connected to a side of the second tube such the axial direction of the first tube is generally parallel to the axial direction of the second tube.
 6. The adjustable loop element of claim 5, wherein the second slide comprises a third tube and a fourth tube, wherein the third tube and the fourth tube have generally cylindrical shapes with openings therethrough in axial directions thereof, and wherein the third tube is connected to a side of the fourth tube such that the axial direction of the third tube is generally parallel to the axial direction of the fourth tube.
 7. The adjustable loop element of claim 6, wherein the first tube of the first slide has sufficient clearance to allow the length of the material to slidably pass therethrough, and wherein the first end of the length of the material is secured in the second tube.
 8. The adjustable loop element of claim 7, wherein the fourth tube of the second slide has sufficient clearance to allow the length of the material to slidably pass therethrough, and wherein the second end of the length of the material is secured in the third tube.
 9. The adjustable loop element of claim 8, wherein the first tube and the fourth tube each comprise a holding mechanism which frictionally bears on the length of the material as the length of the material slides through the respective tubes, and wherein the holding mechanism holds the length of the material in place within the respective tubes if there is no force on the length of the material.
 10. The adjustable loop element of claim 8, wherein the first tube and the fourth tube each comprise a locking mechanism which bears on the length of the material such that the length of the material is prevented from sliding through the respective tubes if the locking mechanism is engaged, and wherein the locking mechanism locks the length of the material in place within the respective tubes against a force on the length of the material so that the first loop formed by the length of the material is maintained at a desired size.
 11. The adjustable loop element of claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism is engaged and disengaged by one of a keyed lock and a combination lock.
 12. The adjustable loop element of claim 1, wherein the first closed loop is made smaller by pulling the first and second slides away from each other in first directions, and a second loop formed by the length of the material between the first and second slides is thereby made larger.
 13. The adjustable loop element of claim 12, wherein if the first and second slides are pulled apart in the first directions until the first and second slides touch each other, the first loop has a minimum size and the second loop has a maximum size.
 14. The adjustable loop element of claim 13, wherein the first loop is made larger by pulling the first and second slides toward each other in second directions, the second loop thereby being made smaller.
 15. The adjustable loop element of claim 14, wherein if the first loop is made larger by pulling the first and second slides toward each other in second directions such that the first and second slides touch each other, the second loop is completely eliminated.
 16. A restraining device comprising at least two adjustable loop elements according to claim 1, wherein the first slide of a first adjustable loop element of the at least two adjustable loop elements is connected to the first slide of a second adjustable loop element of the two adjustable loop elements.
 17. The restraining device according to claim 16, wherein each of the first and second slides of each of the at least two adjustable loop elements are configured to be locked at desired positions such that the first loop formed by the length of the material of each of the at least two adjustable loop elements can be locked at a desired size.
 18. A jewelry item comprising the adjustable loop element of claim
 1. 